Post/upload a 2011 holiday photo of your family and/or child to our discussion group wall at Facebook. Whether it be your entire family, your daughter, or your grandson...let's show off the smiles that are most dear to us!
All participants receive 5 points toward MiCleft's new participation (points) program that we'll be announcing soon, and the lucky winner will receive a $25 Build-A-Bear Workshop gift card that can be used online or at stores nationwide!

Entry deadline is midnight on January 31, 2012.

Deb phoned me after lunch and I've been doing the Happy Dance since; awaiting the official announcement so I could share with all of you. If there's documentation or a way of getting our families what our children deserve, Debbie Oliver of AmeriFace will find it! She's been a personal mentor and good friend of mine for years but today's news brought tears to my eyes.
I was excited as she read aloud to me litigation reports, case studies and appeal decisions. I thought "Could it really be true?"  I waited an hour for the sweet call...that she confirmed its legitimacy with the State Of Michigan!
Deb has once again proved that she personally has our 'backs' and that the Pathfinder Outreach Program works. MiCleft is proud to be Michigan's ONLY tax-exempt craniofacial support network, and Michigan's ONLY approved Pathfinder Partner Organization!

Feel free to contact me for further details because I'm excited to spread the word and make change for the better!

Teresa M. Croughen, R.N.
MiCleft President & Founder
Direct Phone: 313.590.6000

NOTE:  Regarding all references to the term "disability insurance policy" in these sections, refer additionally to  Section 500.3400.  These sections DO refer to individual and group health care plans.  The definitions are also confirmed by the Office of Financial and Insurance Regulation (OFIR).

This valuable information is also available at our Resources Page.
Cited permission: cleftAdvocate.org & AmeriFace.org

Click here to read the full newsletter and article!

This 2011 year, I plan to encompass new memories of the season because MiCleft will hold its first scheduled Bowl For Smiles in the Fall (verses holding it once annually in February). I'm excited about seeing many familiar smiles, and meeting others for the first time! When creating the network, I was surrounded by feelings of isolation and worry. Who could possibly understand what I as a mother, as a strong-willed woman feeling completely helpless, was going through? Who could I turn to that would just wrap their arms around me and tell me that everything would be okay? 

Bowl For Smiles is about so much more than unlimited bowling, video gaming, and eating good food. It's about members of MiCleft, friends and family, coming together to not only support each other - it's about raising awareness of our children's conditions and educating the general population so that in the event that 'they' should find themselves in a similar situation, or one of their loved ones do - they'll know they're not alone. They'll know that there's a whole community of people that are here to guide them toward being the best advocates they can be, and a large group of children that will forever accept each other for who they are - absolutely beautiful!

Again, I am so excited about the event and hope that you and yours will be among the smiles! If you haven't registered/paid for your spot, please do so by October 1st. Don't hesitate to share my contact info with others, I want to see a great crowd and hope that you do too!

Join us on Saturday, October 15 for a fun-filled day of friendship, but most important, attend and know that you're doing your part in promoting public awareness of facial differences --- we cannot change or educate the public overnight, but we CAN do it ONE SMILE AT A TIME!

Bowl For Smiles: http://www.micleft.com/bowl-for-smiles.htm

Main Category: Cleft Palate
Also Included In: Cosmetic Medicine / Plastic Surgery
Article Date: 25 Nov 2010 - 2:00 PDT

It may look the same, but it doesn't chew the same. Different dental treatment options for bilateral cleft lip and palate may result in similar aesthetic appearance, but they produce definite differences in jaw function. People with clefts of the lip and palate often have dental anomalies as well. The number, shape, and position of teeth can be affected. In particular, the permanent lateral incisor is frequently absent or misshapen.

A study in the November 2010 issue of Cleft Palate Craniofacial Journal examines two primary treatments for bilateral cleft lip and palate: orthodontic space closure and prosthetic replacement, primarily with resin-bonded bridges. The treatment methods were evaluated on the basis of aesthetics and mandibular function. Twenty-seven adult patients in the Netherlands with bilateral cleft lip and palate took part in the study.

In deciding on a treatment, dentists consider the skeletal pattern, tooth size and arch length, and size and color of adjacent teeth. Prosthetic replacement is often preferred to maintain symmetry when incisors are missing or spaced apart and to ensure adequate space for the tongue. Orthodontic space closure is a less costly procedure that can be performed before the end of a patient's growth. Also, it does not involve adjacent healthy teeth as prosthetic replacement does.

The patients and a professional panel were asked to rate the aesthetics of the two procedures. Although approaching the subject from different points of view, the two groups did not find a significant aesthetic difference between orthodontic space closure and prosthetic replacement.

The method of treatment did make a difference, however, in the functioning of the jaw. A questionnaire was used to evaluate the patients' ratings of specific functions. In this evaluation, prosthetic replacements were found to result in significantly more impairment of the jaw.

Source: Allen Press Publishing Services 

This article has been pulled from "Medical News Today", please follow the link below:

http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/209271.php

Main Category: Cleft Palate
Also Included In: Dentistry
Article Date: 15 Apr 2011 - 0:00 PDT

The impact of physical attractiveness on social communication is a truth universally acknowledged. It is not surprising, therefore, that individuals with a cleft lip and palate have experienced social isolation and poor self-esteem. But how people really see faces affected by this anomaly has not been studied. Researchers are now seeking a more scientific evaluation of how people look at faces with a cleft lip and palate through the use of an eye-tracking camera.

The March 2011 issue of The Cleft Palate Craniofacial Journal reports the findings of a study that analyzed eye movements while participants looked at pictures of faces with and without a unilateral cleft lip and palate. Participants included a group of 33 individuals affected by cleft lip and palate and a control group of 30 unaffected individuals. The results show that participants who have a cleft lip and palate themselves focused on that feature for a longer period of time than those without this facial anomaly.

When looking at a face, the eyes usually fixate on the main features, following a path from one to the next. This occurs in a fixed order, and is known as the scanpath. A typical scanpath has top-down movement, fixing primarily on the eyes, then the nose and mouth. Additionally, it has been documented that viewers will fixate initially and for a longer duration on features that draw on their emotions.

Participants with and without cleft lip and palate showed a quantifiably different scanpath from one another when looking at pictures. Those participants with cleft lip and palate fixated on the nose significantly more often and the eyes significantly less often than those participants without cleft lip and palate. Whether looking at affected or unaffected faces, participants with cleft lip and palate displayed the same scanpath behavior. Both groups of participants looked at pictures of faces with cleft lip and palate longer than they did unaffected faces.

As adults, more than 50% of those with cleft lip and palate have reported dissatisfaction with their facial appearance. Even when surgery to repair the cleft has been performed in infancy with appropriate follow-up therapy, a scar and a distinct asymmetry of the nose remain. Those with a cleft lip and palate would have a stronger emotional connection with these facial features that could explain their different way of viewing a face.

Source: Allen Press Publishing Services 

 http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/222459.php

To reduce the pain and/or difficulty swallowing while maintaining a balanced diet, make an effort to choose a variety of pureed foods from the five food groups. Choosing a variety of foods from each food group will provide adequate nutrients as well as prevent boredom in your diet. Servings to meet approximately 2000 calories include the following:

• 8 servings from the Bread, Cereal, Rice and Pasta Group
• 2 to 3 servings from the Vegetable Group
• 3 to 4 servings from the Fruit Group
• 3 servings from the Dairy Group
• 3 to 4 servings (or approximately 8 ounces total) from the Meat Group

Sources of Blenderized or Pureed Foods

You may want to buy all food or some pureed foods at the grocery store. Small jars of strained baby food contain about one-half cup of food: larger containers usually cost less per serving than single serving jars. While buying pureed food is easier, it generally costs more than making your own.

You can puree many of the foods you normally prepare at home. Homemade pureed foods can taste better than store bought ones. To puree foods at home, you need:

• A strainer or sieve
• A blender, food processor or grinder

Steps for Making Blenderized or Pureed Foods

1. Remove skins, seeds, pits, bones, tough membranes and other inedible parts of foods.

2. Cut food into small pieces

3. Cook food until tender. Food already cooked, such as canned fruits, vegetables or meats and fish do NOT need further cooking.

4. Add small amounts of liquid to food to thin to a drinkable consistency. For instance:

• Use warm milk to thin pureed macaroni and cheese, or eggs or potatoes.
• Melt ice cream, sherbet, and gelatin and mix with milk or fruit juice.
• Use milk to thin pudding or strained yogurt
• Use fruit juice to thin pureed fruit

More About Pureed Meals

• Recipes for Pureed Foods - Beverages, Shakes and Desserts
• Recipes for Pureed Foods - Entrees, Vegetables, and Salads
• Recipes for Pureed Meals - Breakfast, Fruit and Yogurt Blends
• Recipes for Pureed Meals - Soups

This information originally appeared in the Journey Guide Patient Handbook developed by the Ireland Cancer Center at University Hospitals, and was adapted for use on NetWellness with permission, 2009. More information can be found at www.NetWellness.org

Come join the MiCleft family and friends as we enjoy unlimited bowling, pizza pop, 100+ video game arcade and a raffle that will blow your socks off!

Join us in our effort to increase public awareness and to continue family support services to Michigan babies/children born with cleft lip and palate and other facial differences!

We're also asking that you post this event on your profile wall, and share this event by inviting all your friends and family. Links to the event flier and pledge sheet are below for your convenience. Near or far, we need everyone's help in raising awareness of craniofacial anomalies!

Cost: $25.00 per person for adults and children 2 years and older.
*Children under 2 years of age are FREE.

Included: Unlimited bowling, pizza, pop and 100+ video game play.
Don't forget to try your luck at a variety of raffle prizes!

You don't have to attend the event to help us brighten smiles!
Use these links to view, print, and share with all your friends
Flier: http://www.micleft.org/BFS​flier.pdf
Pledge sheet: http://www.micleft.org/BFS​sheet.pdf

Please RSVP by September 21, 2011 by email, mail or phone.

Make Checks payable to MICHIGAN CLEFT NETWORK, INC
Please mail checks to 4468 Gertrude, Dearborn Heights, MI 48125
Please visit www.micleft.org to make purchase by credit card.

For more info, to volunteer, offer donation, or contribute a raffle prize, contact Jonathan Turner at 586-863-7985 or jonathan@micleft.org

MiCleft, Inc. has been serving families since January 2006, and continues to be Michigan's choice of cleft and craniofacial support. Dedicated to enriching lives of individuals affected by craniofacial anomalies, advocating for families and not the specific surgical teams that serve them.

*No fee to attend!

Students with Type 1 Diabetes need a strong support network at school to help them manage their diabetes. JDRF is here to help! We're having a conference which includes everything you need to know about creating a safe learning environment for students with diabetes.

The conference is for parents/caregivers, school administrators and staff including teachers, support personnel, lunch room aides, bus drivers, and nurses! Dates are as follows:

August 9, 2011 - Madison Heights, MI     6:00pm to 8:00pm

August 23, 2011 - East Lansing, MI     6:00pm to 8:00pm

Hear presentations from Certified Diabetes Educators: Diabetes Basics. Educational tools and templates.. The "team" approach to keeping students safe. Receive information from JDRF: School Advisory Toolkit, Health Care Providers Toolkit, Service & Support!

QUESTIONS? Contact Denise Pentescu at dpentescu@jdrf.orgor 248-936-1284 or register at http://www.jdrfcares.org/Contact

*Children's Special Health Care Services, a Heart-to-Heart Update

Teresa Croughen R.N., President
MiCleft - Michigan Cleft Network, Inc.

Shared and re-published with permission: hpb Photography/Heather Brincko

            who put chocolate fingers everywhere,

            who like to be tickled,

            who stomp in puddles and ruin their new pants,

            who sneak Popsicles before supper,

            who can never find their shoes.

And we are responsible for children

            who  can’t bound down the street in a new pair of sneakers,

            who are born in places we wouldn’t be caught dead,

            who never go to the circus,

            who live in an x-rated world.

We are responsible for children

            who bring us sticky kisses and fistfuls of dandelions,

            who sleep with the dog and busy goldfish,

            who cover themselves with Band-aids and sing off key,

            who squeeze toothpaste all over the sink,

            who slurp their soup.

And we are responsible for children

            who never get dessert,

            who have no blanket to drag behind them,

            who watch their parents watch them die,

            who can’t find any bread to steal,

            who don’t have any rooms to clean up,

            whose pictures aren’t on anybody’s dresser,

            whose monsters are real.

We are responsible for children

            who spend all their allowance before Tuesday,

            who throw tantrums in the grocery store and pick at their food,

            who like ghost stories,

            who shove dirty clothes under the bed and never rinse out the tub,

            who get no visits from the tooth fairy,

            who don’t like to be kissed in front of the carpool,

            whose tears we sometimes laugh at, and

            whose smiles can make us cry.

We are responsible for children

            whose nightmares come in the daytime,

            who will eat anything,

            who have never seen a dentist,

            who aren’t spoiled by anybody,

            who go to bed hungry and cry themselves to sleep,

            who live and move, but have no being.

We are responsible for children

            who  want to be carried and for those who must,

            for those we never give up on and

            for those who don’t get a second chance,

            for those we smother, … and

            for those who will grab the hand of anybody kind enough to offer it.

~Ina Hughes

Main Hospital: administration, environment and family support

How far from home? Mileage reimbursement?

Parking – Fees? Re-entry? Discount or frequent patient pass? Fee reimbursement?

What are visiting hours? Is it limited to family? How many visitors at a time?

Can parents/loved ones stay overnight? Do they offer an extended-stay center, in addition to cot/recliner in the patient’s room?

Does their facility have a discount travel program, ‘Ronald McDonald House’ or similar?

What in-room accommodations do they offer? (Internet, microwave, fridge, VCR, intra-hospital interactive/educational programming)

Are cellular phones allowed in patient rooms?

What are their cafeteria hours? Is food allowed in your room? How accessible is it from patient floors? 

Do they have IV-ready wagons for young patients (rides)?

Are there supervised, patient playrooms? What are the hours of operation?

Are there sibling playrooms on patient floors? Do they include computers? Tutor volunteers?

Do they offer sibling ‘daycare’ or supervised play area?

Do they have bi-lingual staff?

Do they have on-site social workers?

Do they have a Child Life Specialist team program?

Do they have a specialized pediatric floor?

Do they offer hospital tours? Do they offer surgical tours?

Are their nurses experienced with post-surgical craniofacial patients?

Are you allowed to participate in surgical events, such as: anesthesiology and recovery

Are you allowed to be present for electro tests, lab work and IV insertion?

Do they provide cleft palate feeders, food menu, supplies and surgical restraints?

Does their ER department have experience with craniofacial patients?

Can they arrange home nursing and post-surgical support?

Craniofacial/Plastic Surgeon

Professional history: number of years; annual number of craniofacial surgeries; percentage of lip repair/rhinoplasty vs. palatoplasty; average number of necessary revisions; number of fistulas; percentage of patients with clefts; handling of other craniofacial conditions and associated syndromes; years with this particular hospital; years of professional relationship with other craniofacial specialists on team.

Professional Opinion on procedures and techniques: oral prosthetics – Lathem, Orbutrator, prosthesis feeding palate, nasal stints, Logan Bar, stitches, Rhinoplasty, Palatoplasty, Flap procedure, ear infections and tubes, bone grafting, jaw distractions, orthodontic (braces, filing, realignment), speech/occupational therapy, support networks, etc.

Are they available after hours by phone?  Available for emergency care?

Can they (and you) contact other team specialists after hours?

Do they perform all surgeries?

Do they work for outside clinics or hospitals?

Are they involved with a resident program?

Will non-surgical and follow-up appointments take place at the hospital or private practice?

If private practice, what is the distance in miles and what are their hours?

If private practice, are his/her private staff present for patient hospitalization?

Do they have a relationship with outside programs such as WIC, SSI, EarlyOn, CSA (communications specialist agency), etc?

Are they a member of the ACPA, Michigan Cleft Palate Association or any other national/state craniofacial organization?

Are they involved with a volunteer or missionary program?

Do they offer a craniofacial support network?

Are they involved/supportive of larger organizations such as: cleftAdvocate and MiCleft?

What is their opinion on information obtained via the internet, publication and word-of-mouth?

Does he/she support communication between multi-patient families?

Are referrals and outside appointments handled in their office or are you expected to manage?

Are they experienced in dealing with multi-policy accounts?

Will they accept partial payments?

Is there office co-pays and for what type visits will there be charge?

How long have they personally been on staff? What is their turn-over rate?

Team

List of specialists usually involved with team environment:

Plastic/Cosmetic Surgeon specializing in craniofacial anomalies

Otolaryngologist/ENT surgeon

Speech and Communication

Occupational Therapist

Pediatric Dentist

Pediatric Orthodontist

Social Worker

Optometrist/Ophthalmologist

Nurse – team coordinator

General Pediatrician

Audiologist

Genetic Counselor

Gastro Specialist

Pulmonary Specialist

Are the team individuals available in one location?

If not, will you have to obtain referrals and outside appointments?

Are these specialists approved within your insurance network?

Are these specialists networked with the surgical hospital?

Do they have 'team environment' evaluations? How often are they done?

What ENT specialty care do they provide, and is it automatically included in the program?

Will dentistry include prostheses, braces and other hardware if necessary?

Can you request a developmental evaluation by the entire team? 

What is the procedure of outpatient care in the event that care is needed for cranio related issues?

Does it cover speech and occupational? (Remember, she may not need it now - but might after bone grafting and flap surgery.)

Who performs necessary flap surgery and bone distractions?

Does each specialist (and their staff) have extensive experience with clefts?

Do they work with the Early On program and it's developmental evaluation programs?

Can they provide social and community resources such as FIA, WIC, HeadStart and others?

Do they offer free counseling to siblings?

Do they have an emergency fund for surgical families in crisis?

By Maureen Salamon
HealthDay Reporter

MONDAY, May 23 (HealthDay News) -- Undercover research in Illinois reveals that dentists are far more willing to provide emergency care to children with private insurance than to kids with public insurance such as Medicaid.

Posing as mothers of a fictional 10-year-old boy with a fractured front tooth, six research assistants phoned 85 dental practices twice, four weeks apart, to determine the impact of insurance status on the practices' decision to schedule an urgent dental appointment.

Even when calling Medicaid-enrolled dentists, just 68 percent of children with the Medicaid/Children's Health Insurance Plan were able to get an appointment, compared to all of the privately insured children. Non-enrolled dentists offered an appointment to only 7 percent of kids with public insurance despite the fact that Medicaid reimburses all emergency dental care.

"That's a huge difference," said study co-author Dr. Karin Rhodes, director of the division of emergency care policy research at the University of Pennsylvania's School of Social Policy and Practice. "This gives irrefutable numbers. I think there's a real disparity between oral health and traditional medical care in this country."

The study was published online May 23 in the journal Pediatrics.

A fractured front tooth is an urgent, common childhood injury with long-term implications, Rhodes said, including infection, pain and cosmetic problems. Traumatic injuries to permanent front teeth affect one in seven pre-teen children, but more than 10 percent of significant dental fractures go untreated, according to the study.

Nearly half of the randomly selected dental practices called by the researchers were enrolled in Illinois' combined Medicaid/CHIP dental program. In 170 paired calls to both types of practices, a total of 36.5 percent of Medicaid beneficiaries obtained an appointment, compared with 95.4 percent of children privately insured by Blue Cross.

Rhodes blamed the disparity on Medicaid's reimbursement rates to dentists. In Illinois, Medicaid reimburses dentists 53 percent of their median usual fees, placing the state among 25 others below the national average reimbursement level of 60.5 percent for the same procedures, she said.

"I think many dentists shy away from emergency care because they have to follow up" when they know they may not be equitably reimbursed, Rhodes said. "I also found it disturbing a lot of dentists who turned down patients ... said they were willing to see the child if the mother would pay cash."

"I'm very sympathetic to the state," she added. "Illinois is not alone -- I think they're probably in better shape than a lot of places. I think this has implications for a lot of states. It's definitely a wake-up call."

The president of the American Dental Association, Dr. Raymond F. Gist, said the study supports the ADA's longstanding position that better funding for public-assistance programs is critical.

"Lack of funding is among the greatest barriers to better oral health in America," Gist said. "But funding alone will not 'fix' Medicaid. Patients need help navigating an often complicated bureaucracy and overcoming other barriers."

When Medicaid reimbursement rates reach levels that a majority of dentists consider acceptable, participation and utilization increase dramatically, Gist said, citing an ADA analysis of state children's Medicaid programs developed in 2003 and updated in 2009.

"This is a tipping point, rather than a steady-scale phenomenon," he said.

Dr. Burton Edelstein, a professor of dentistry and of health policy and management at Columbia University in New York City, said that despite the study's "disappointing" findings, the problem is beginning to get noticed nationally and a Medicaid group is focusing on a solution.

"The study does typify the problem, but it's getting significant attention," said Edelstein, also president of the Children's Dental Health Project in Washington, D.C. "I'm forever optimistic that the structural changes we're seeking to make in the program will result in greater access to care."

Parents with public insurance who are turned away at a dental office can ask their primary-care physician for guidance or consult local dental schools, which often offer emergency dental care, Rhodes suggested.

More information

To learn more about dental care for children, visit the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

(SOURCES: Karin Rhodes, M.D., director, division of emergency care policy research, department of emergency medicine, School of Social Policy and Practice, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia; Raymond F. Gist, D.D.S., president, American Dental Association; Burton Edelstein, D.D.S., M.P.H., professor of dentistry and of health policy and management, Columbia University, New York City, and president, Children's Dental Health Project, Washington, D.C.; May 23, 2011, Pediatrics, online)

Copyright © 2011 ScoutNews, LLC.  All rights reserved.

HealthDayNews articles are derived from various sources and do not reflect federal policy. healthfinder.gov does not endorse opinions, products, or services that may appear in news stories. For more information on health topics in the news, visit Health News on healthfinder.gov.

Making a world of difference in a world of facial differences...AmeriFace!

http://www.ameriface.org/2011NACFC.html

Stop Insurance Denials!

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/craniofacial/

Newswise — The impact of physical attractiveness on social communication is a truth universally acknowledged. It is not surprising, therefore, that individuals with a cleft lip and palate have experienced social isolation and poor self-esteem. But how people really see faces affected by this anomaly has not been studied. Researchers are now seeking a more scientific evaluation of how people look at faces with a cleft lip and palate through the use of an eye-tracking camera.

Click Here for the full story!

Melissa Lee, MSW and MiCleft Family Advocate, shares her story of hope and how by remaining steadfast, she and husband Chris, not only fulfilled the wishes of their son's biological parents, they became the family they had always dreamed of being...

MiCleft is proud to announce another story of strength and courage! We hope that you'll share this amazing story with your friends/family, and promote-audience by sharing and posting it at all Facebook groups/fanpages that cater to the cleft/craniofacial community! There is a large number of families that have originated by means of adoption, and this is a story NOT to be missed!

Here's the link to this Featured Publication: http://www.MiCleft.com/spotlight.htm   To read previous family editorials, go to: http://www.MiCleft.com/spotlight-stories.htm  Do you have a story to share? We want to hear from you - send email letting us know that you'd like more information on telling your experience(s) - click here now!

"I was in total love with my son from the moment I saw him; the path that we were chosen to walk was right for us."

Please take a moment to read and share with friends, "Reid's Journey." A story shared by Janeen, member of MiCleft since January 2008.

*"Reid's Journey" as well as other stories of strength and courage can be read here: http://www.MiCleft.com/spotlight.htm

*Let us know if you would like MiCleft to feature your personal experience - send casual email to: support@MiCleft.com today!

MiCleft wants to hear what you're most thankful for! Enter as many times as you like; both short and long notes are welcome, but they must be sincere and creative.

A special panel of judges will announce their winner at 12:00pm (EST) on Thanksgiving Day!

Enter today by submitting an email to: Kristi@MiCleft.org